India is land of multiple cultures, religions and traditions. A land of over 120 languages, India has over 1.2 billion people of all religions. This unity in diversity can be seen in almost every festival that is celebrated in India like Diwali, Id, Christmas and many more.
If you want to experience a wonderful cultural experience, then India must be on your bucket list. There are so many cultures to explore in India that it gives you a package experience of the world.
Here’s a list of different cultures and place you can visit to experience them to make cultural holidays India easier for you:
Hindu Culture
It is often said that Hinduism is not a religion; it’s a way of life. Derived from Sanatan Dharam, the doctrines of Hinduism are based on the Upanishad, Vedas and other holy scriptures. With the ideologies of karma, reincarnation, salvation and moksha, Hinduism has a very precise message. It is a vast religion from which many religions came out.
There are several Hindu pilgrimage sites that you can visit to experience the culture like, Vaishno Devi, Tirumala Venkateshwara Temple, Kedarnath, Somnath Temple and many more. Festivals like Diwali and Holi widely celebrated all over the country. There are many other festivals dedicated to various gods and even seasons.
Buddhist Culture
Based on the teachings of Gautam Buddha, this culture not only spread in India but also in countries like China, Myanmar, Tibet and Bhutan. The spiritual leader of Budhhism, Dalai Lama, resides in Dharamshala, India.
Apart from Dharamshala, where he Dalai Lama lives, there are some more places that are considered very holy to this religion. Bodhgaya is the place where Buddha attained enlightenment. Sarnath is also very popular as Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon there. These places are best to visit during festivals like Buddha Purnima which marks the birthday of Prince Siddhartha, Losar which is the Tibetian New Year and Hemis Fair
Jain Culture
Jainism is perhaps the purest culture and religion in India. Tirthankars from 6th century, considered to be holier than many gods, began the lineage. Tithankara Mahavira was the founder of this religion.
There are several Jain temples and shrines all over the country. Dilwara temple in Rajasthan which was built in the 13th century is considered to be very holy for the Jains. Renowned Palitana temples which have 863 temples in total are believed to be most sacred among the Jains. Mahavir Jayanti is a major festival for the Jains. Other festivals like Jnan Panchami, Navad Oli and Bhai Beej also hold a great significance in the Jain community.
Christian Culture
Although Christanity can be traced back to 52 A.D. in India, it became prominent during the British Raj. The Bible is considered to be the holy book for Christians and they abide by it. States like Meghalaya, Nagaland and Mizoram are Christian majority states in India. It is also widely spread in states like Kerala and Goa.
Christians conduct their masses or prayer sessions in churches. Some of these churches are architectural gems that will amaze you. St. Thomas Church in Madras is fairly famous amongst Christians in India. Other renowned churches are Our Lady of Mount in Bombay, Bom Jesus Church in Old Goa and The Shrine of St. Xavier in Kottar. Christmas is a major festival for Christians where they celebrate birth of Jesus Christ. Good Friday marks the date when Jesus Christ was crucified and Easter is celebrated to mark the Second Coming of The Christ.
Islamic Culture
Islam is the second most popular culture in India after Hinduism. Almost 14% of India’s population is Muslim. The impact of this religion and culture can be widely witnessed in India. Festivals like Id and Ramdan are celebrated all over the country and many people from other religions also take part in the celebrations.
India hosts a large number of mosques which is where the Muslims head to do their Namaaz. Most of these mosques were constructed during the Mughal Era. Some famous mosques in the country are Jama Masjid in Delhi, Shah-e-Alam in Ahmedabad, Nizamuddin Dargah in Delhi, Ajmer Shareef Dargah in Ajmer and Chaar Minar in Hyderabad. Eid-ul-Aidha , Eid-ul-Fitr, Barah Wafat and Muharram are celebrated by Muslims every year apart from the Ramdan.
These cultural experiences can actually change your life and your whole perception towards the word. Witnessing so many cultures and religions co-exist in a single country is magic in itself. India can truly give you the unique getaway experience.
You can also avail best flight deals from websites like Alpfly and make your flying experience inexpensive and better. The mystical land of India is truly magical due to its versatility and different kinds of people and place. It is the place that can help you start a new chapter of your life and give you a fresh start from a spiritual perspective.
